One of those best kept secrets in cabaret has long been the talents of D.C. Anderson. Thus far, his songs have not yet crossed into the consciousness of the general public. With his newest album, Our Story, that may all change.

With lilting vocals that recall a young Pete Seeger, Our Story is a top-notch amalgam of saucy fun songs and heart-wrenching ballads. Collaborating with musicians like Michael Gillis, Ritt Henn, Steven Landau, Geoff Packard, Jeff Rizzo and Adryan Russ, Anderson has an intelligent, deceivingly simple style in a league with some of today’s more recognized songwriters like John Bucchino and Ann Hampton Callaway. Providing a soundtrack of our emotional times, his songs should be recorded by the likes of Betty Buckley and Barbara Cook, two of today’s definitive interpreters on matters of the heart.
Exceptional standouts include a riveting “You” by Roy Zimmerman that shows off Anderson’s expressive voice. A campy “I'm the Law,” with music by Ritt Henn is sophisticated silliness. A theatrical story song, “The Danger and the Din,” reveals a Sondheim influence. “Rock in the River,” with music by Michael Gillis, is a serious find. Anderson’s original “I Have to Laugh,” the story of a break-up is trenchant as a lover “... misses what never really was mine ...” The gorgeous title cut looks back in wistful wonder while the disc’s best cut is “‘Till Then.” Both are beauties on this album of mixed emotions that touch an inner peacefulness worthy of a Grammy.

John Hoglund
Cabaret Scenes
January/February 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org